The Uwharrie National Recreation Trail is a long-distance trail that runs south-to-north through the heart of Uwharrie National Forest. In its current version the UNRT is over 25 miles long, and eventually it will be constructed to connect with the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness to form a 40+ mile trail, a perfect thru-hiking opportunity close to the largest cities in North Carolina.

The Uwharrie Mountains, once a mighty coastal range with peaks over 20,000 feet, have eroded to steep, rocky hills that top out around 1,000 feet in the national forest. This hike follows the newest, northern section of the Uwharrie National Recreation Trail where you’ll experience some of the highlights of the region. Beginning at Tower Rd the first 2-mi section follows the contours of rocky Dark Mountain. The next 3.1-mi section is the most scenic part of the hike as it climbs to the grassy bald of Little Long Mountain with panoramic views of the Uwharries. The last section is a quick out-and-back to King Mountain, the tallest peak in the national forest at 1,020 feet. Accessible roads crisscross the UNRT, affording the ability to vary the length of this trip for a shorter day hike or a longer backpacking trip.

Mile 6.3 – Cross the summit of King Mountain, the tallest peak in Uwharrie National Forest at 1,020 feet. The Uwharrie National Recreation Trail continues north and soon ends. Eventually the trail will be constructed to connect with the Birkhead Mountain Trail in the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness. Turn around and head south following the Uwharrie Trail back to your car on Tower Rd.

Mile 12.6 – Hike ends at Tower Rd.

Calculate roughly how many calories you could burn on the Little Long Mountain hike: